Talking multi-surface keyboard

ABSTRACT

A stationary input device is provided having at least a plurality of touch-sensitive back surfaces, with adjustable vertical and horizontal angles between those units; a method of dividing the keys of a keyboard into interface groups; each group having a home key and associated with a finger; a method of dynamically mapping and remapping the home keys of each interface group to the coordinates of the associated fingers at their resting position, and mapping non-home keys around their associated home keys on the touch-sensitive back surfaces; a method of calculating and remapping home keys and non-home keys when the coordinates of the resting position shift during operation; a method of providing sensational tactile or haptic bumps or elevations on touch-sensitive surfaces; a method of reading each activated key immediately and automatically; a method of detecting typos and grammatical errors and notifying operators using human speech or other communication methods.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/599,835, filed with title “Talking multi-surfacekeyboard” and naming Hovsep Giragossian as inventor, which is acontinuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/214,710 filed2014 Mar. 15 by the present inventor. All of the foregoing applicationsare hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to electronic input devices, and moreparticularly to the broader application of keyboards, key pads, controlpads, touch pads, and mouse pads.

BACKGROUND—PRIOR ART

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appearrelevant:

U.S. Patent Publication Kind Filing Number Code Date PatenteeUS20130275907 A1 2011 Oct. 14 Hannes Lau and Christian Sax US20070036603A1 2004 Sep. 22 Marek Swoboda US20110254762 A1 2011 Oct. 20 Tobias Dahlet al. US20110055256 A1 2011 Mar. 3 Michael S. Phillips et al.US20120036121 A1 2012 Feb. 9 John Nicholas Jetkoff et al. US20140104180A1 2014 Apr. 17 Mark Schaffer US20150109207 A1 2015 Apr. 23 Youngui Liet al. US20130046544 A1 2013 Feb. 21 David Kay et al. US20060084482 A12004 Oct. 15 Sami Saila U.S. Pat, No. A 1998 Jan. 29 Radoslav P. Kotorov6,118,432 U.S. Pat. No. B2 2011 Mar. 3 Apple Inc. 8,799,803 U.S. Pat.No. B2 2014 Jul. 8 Kenneth M. Martin et al. 8,773,356

Data entry has now become one of the dominant methods of our dailycommunication both at work and in personal life. Pressing a key on acomputer keyboard or on a keypad can register and sent a character or acommand to a computer or another device. We refer to the term “keyboard”in this application in its broader meaning that applies to devices witha plurality of input keys.

Keyboards with mechanical keys, whether used as desktop computerkeyboards or on portable devices are bulky, heavy, noisy, or slow. Aflat computer keyboard with key on the front-facing surface can developCarpal Tunnel Syndrome. Statically positioned mechanical or soft keys onsmaller portable devices such as cell phones are mostly activated onlyby the thumbs of an operator; causing stress on thumbs.

A few inventions introduce computer keyboards with mechanical or softkeys that are statically positioned on the back of said keyboards. Thiskind of keyboards may have an advantage that the wrist of the operatoris not touching the keyboard or carrying the weight of the hand comparedto a flat computer keyboard with front-facing keys. However, saidkeyboards like other keyboards with static keys are inflexible, heavy,bulky, slow, and lead to fatigue of the hands and fingers.

I have found that while operating a keyboard, the arms and wrists of theoperator are not in a natural straight line. The wrists are either bentinward, outward, left, or right. The lack of proper alignment causesstress on shoulders, arms, wrists, and fingers; which is not onlyunhealthy but also slows down data entry. There are two factorscontributing to this problem; 1^(st), static keys are not flexible andthey force or confine the hands and fingers of the operator to thestatic position of the keys. And 2^(nd), as I mentioned earlier, whenall keys are positioned on a single back surface, it does not allowflexibility to attain a comfortable and natural posture of the arms andthe wrists.

Soft keys may be positioned on a keyboard statically, or mappeddynamically at the point of contact between fingers and said surfaces.Soft keys provide faster data entry; making the keyboard lighter andslimmer. Keyboards with keys positioned on the front-facing surface,regardless of using mechanical keys, soft keys, or dynamically mappedkeys, are prone to developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. On the other hand,keyboards with static soft keys positioned on the back of a keyboard aredependent on visibility in order to touch and activate said keyscorrectly. Therefore such keyboards use either a partially transparentor see-through keyboard for viewing the keys on the back surface; whichtakes away a large portion of the front or top surface for viewing theback keys. Keyboards with mechanical keys that are positioned on theback of a keyboard may have better performance compared to the keyboardswith mechanical keys positioned on the front surface. However suchkeyboards are bulky and don't perform as fast as keyboards with softkeys.

Discomfort and related heath concerns like developing Carpal TunnelSyndrome from using flat keyboards with front-facing keys currentlyavailable in the market hasn't been completely addressed and resolved.Mechanical keys and statically positioned virtual keys reduceflexibility and contribute to slower data entry. Mobile devices likesmart phones on the other hand, are becoming increasingly popular forsending text either through text messaging, email, or alternativemethods. However, since the size of said mobile devices are relativelysmaller compared to a standard US 101 keyboard, the texting interface iseither limited to a miniaturized keyboard or a small soft keyboard.Users of said devices can enter text but with only two thumbs. Inaddition to unhealthy ergonomics, this limitation decreases the typingspeed.

Lau et al. (Pub. No.: US 20130275907 A1) provides a flat computerkeyboard with dynamically mapped keys on the front-facing surface.Invention in Lau is based on a single front surface like a US 101computer keyboard. The location of the wrist of an operator isconsidered in the calculation to determine the coordinates of mappedkeys. Invention in Lau however, forces the hands of the operator to reston the median nerves of the wrists; more like using a conventional US101 keyboard. When the median nerve is squeezed repeatedly, it leads todeveloping Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Marek Swoboda (Pub. No.: US 20070036603 A1) describes a keyboard withstatic keys mapped on a single back surface of a device with multiplelayers. Each layer is made with transparent or partially transparentmaterial in order to see the keys of said keyboard through layers and tolay fingers on said keys correctly. With this modification, static keysare still viewable. The keys of the keyboard in Swaboda are positionedon the device statically (paragraph [0019]) rather than being mappeddynamically. In other words, the fingers of an operator are confined tothe predetermined position of said keys. This limitation leads to slowertyping speed and fatigue of wrists and fingers. Since all the layers ofsaid keyboard and the keys have to be transparent or partiallytransparent (paragraph [0023] and [0024]), it leaves little or no spaceon the front surface to position other keys or for a display for runningapplications.

Tobias Dahl et al (Pub. No.: US20110254762 A1) introduces a device thatcan detect a range of pressures on an elastic surface. Dahl incorporatesanalog transducers and light sources with semitransparent or fullytransparent yielding surface to detect the movement of an object intothe yielding surface. Dahl claims that his invention can provide avirtual keyboard to control a computer according to the amount ofpressure applied to the yielding surface (paragraph [0025]). Dahlhowever, does not teach or claim how multiple computer keys could bemapped on a yielding surface, or how computer keys could be mappeddynamically on the back surface either. Improving Dahl in view of Lauwould defeat the purpose of the invention in Dahl. Dahl's invention iscomprised of analog transducers and light sources to detect a range ofpressures and movement of an object even when the object is not touchingthe yielding surface, while Lau does not detect a range of pressures ordetect object above a yielding surface.

Mark Schaffer (Pub. No.: US20140104180 A1) introduces a keyboard with aplurality of bumps, that are statically mounted on the top non-sensitivehousing or the top surface of a device like a wrist watch. The fingersof an operator are confined to the static bumps in order to activate acharacter. After the operator activates one of the bumps with a finger,a list of pre-selected static computer keys are available to choosefrom. Therefore it takes at least two steps to enter a single characteror a key. First, the operator touches one of the bumps with a finger tobring up a menu that is specific to that bump; second, while looking ata display, the operator urges or pushes same finger towards one of thepreferred directions. The selected character or computer key isactivated after releasing the touch. Schaffer does not make anyreference to, or teach how those bumps could be mounted on a backsurface and be utilized. Schaffer depends on the display to choose eachcharacter and correct misspellings. The nature of Schaffer's multi-stepprocess reduces typing speed.

Youngui Li et al (Pub. No.: US20150109207 A1) introduces an input devicewith keys statically positioned on the front and side surfaces, and akeyboard with hard keys statically positioned on a single back surface.There are dynamically mapped zones on the back surface but notdynamically mapped keys that follow the touch of each finger. Each zoneis comprised of a group of keyboard keys that are pre-positioned on saidrectangular mapped zone. Publication US20150109207 A1 was however filedon Nov. 27, 2014; which is after the current invention PPA date of Mar.15, 2013.

David Kay et al (Pub. No.: US20130046544 A1) introduces a system andmethod to disambiguate entered text and present word choices. Allembodiments introduced by Kay have static soft keys positioned on thefront surface of an input device. Kay provides a text-to-speech engineas an input method. A user is notified by vibration or sound when aletter or a character is recognized (paragraph [0104]). The audio inputerroneously may generate a word that was not intended by the user. Kay'sinvention is fully dependent on a display. When there is an unintendedword displayed on the display, the user is provided a list of wordchoices to replace unintended words from a list of word choices(paragraph [0091]). Tactile and sound feedback is used to notify userwhen a character or a text is recognized, however Kay does not teach ofclaim having a method of automatically notifying and providing optionsusing human speech when typos or grammatical errors occur.

Sami Saila (pub. No.: US20060084482 A1) also provides a keyboard withkeys positioned on the back of the keyboard. All keys are mappedstatically on a single surface; therefore it doesn't have the ergonomicprivileges of dynamically mapped keys or the flexibility of two backsurfaces.

Radoslav P. Kotorov (Pub. No.: U.S. Pat. No. 6,118,432 A) provides akeyboard with mechanical keys mounted on two separate smaller pads. Auser may flip the pads over and turn them 90 degrees. This way the usercan access the keys on the back of the keyboard. The fingers of the userare confined to the static position of the mechanical keys. Therefore,Kotorov's keyboard inherits the characteristics of mechanical keys;which is bulky and slow.

Apple Inc (Pub. No.: U.S. Pat. No. 8,799,803 B2) provides a keyboardwith an array of discrete sensors around the backside edges of a devicelike an iPad. These sensors may be configures to register a particularcharacter, or an icon based upon the location of the hands of a user.These sensors are referred to as Virtual Buttons. Depending on thelocation of the hands of the user, a row of computer keys may beregistered with said discrete sensors. Each discrete sensor is alignedwith the approximate relative location of a finger.

Invention in Apple does not teach if a complete set of QWERTY keys couldbe mapped dynamically on a plurality of back surfaces of a device inmultiple rows. Said array of discrete sensors are static in function andare positioned around a given region of the back side edges. Thereforethe limitations of static keys and inflexibility of a single backsurface are inherent in this invention.

The aforesaid inventions have a dependency for a display monitor to seeand verify that the intended words were typed correctly. Imagine anoperator reading from a printed letter and typing it on a computerkeyboard. The operator would have to look constantly back and forth onthe printed letter and the display monitor. If the operator could focusonly on reading the letter, faster typing speed could be achieved.

None of the aforesaid inventions teach a method of informing operatorsusing human speech; reading or pronouncing as each letter or word iscorrectly entered. There are other forms of notification andverification including information displayed on a display monitor. Yetnone of the aforesaid inventions notify operators immediately andautomatically. Now let's imagine if, for example, an operator is readinga printed letter and is typing the word “bottle” on a keyboard. If therewas a notification facility using human speech, the operator would hearthe sound of each letter “b” “o” “t” “t” “l” “e” individually, and thenthe operator would hear “bottle” as one word. That would help theoperator know that the intended word was entered correctlyletter-by-letter. The operator wouldn't even need to look back and forthat the printed letter or into a display monitor. There is neither amethod of notifying the operator in aforesaid inventions using humanspeech when typos or grammatical errors occur.

Michael S. Phillips et al (Pub. No.: US20110055256 A1) provides a searchfacility for web content by transcribing voice into text and feedingsaid text into the search facility. Phillips also discloses atext-to-speech (TTS) engine. The names that have multiplepronunciations, multiple possible phonetic spellings can be created.Each of those can be repeated to the user using text-to-speech software,and the user can pick the one that sounds closest to the desiredpronunciation [0161]. Phillips does not teach or claim that the manuallyentered text could be routed into the TTS engine and the TTS enginecould automatically pronounce each letter individually.

Phillips refers to irrecoverable errors generated while processing anaudio input stream by the automatic speech recognition system or ASR. Asexplained in paragraphs [0135], [0136], and [137], these irrecoverableerrors are intended to be displayed to the user. Yet, none of saiderrors pertain to typos or grammatical errors. Phillips does not have afacility that automatically notifies an operator using human speech whentypos and grammatical errors occur. Therefore aforesaid inventions maynot benefit in view of Phillips to be notified with human speech anddetect typos or grammatical errors, or pronounce each letter and eachword using human speech automatically and immediately.

The standard US keyboards and some of other types of keyboards provide aslight mechanical elevation or bump on keys F and J in order to help theuser quickly position their fingers at correct keys.

Kenneth M. Martin et al (Pub. No.: U.S. Pat. No. 8,773,356 B2), JuanManual Cruz-Hernandez et al (Pub. No.: EP2406703 B1), and a few Koreanpublications (Pub. No.: KR101499301 B1 and Pub. No.: KR20090007402A)introduce an electronic tactile and sensation that simulates mechanicalelevation or bump. However they fail to teach how said electronictactile could be used on touch-sensitive surfaces on the back ofdevices, and could be programmed dynamically at first use.

SUMMARY

The following summary provides a simplified form of the concepts that isfurther described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is notintended to identify all essential features or a preferred embodiment.Therefore it should not be used for determining or limiting the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

I have found that mapping keyboard keys dynamically on a plurality ofback static surfaces provides several benefit and advantages that isdescribed briefly in the following.

According to one or more non-limiting exemplary embodiments, an inputdevice is a computer keyboard and mouse combination, having a full setof computer keys dynamically mapped on two touch-sensitive backsurfaces, as shown in FIG. 1. Half of said keys are mapped on the leftback surface and activated by the left hand of an operator, and theother half of said keys are mapped on the right back surface. A set ofmechanical and soft keys are also positioned on the front facing and onthe edge surfaces. The operator does not have direct visibility to theback surfaces; neither does need to in order to activate dynamicallymapped keys. Therefore it provides for the blind to use one or more ofsaid exemplary embodiments without dependency on visibility of thedynamically mapped keys, or dependency on a display monitor.

According to one or more non-limiting exemplary embodiments, an inputdevice is a computer keyboard that splits into two independent left-handand right-hand units, where half of a keyboard keys are mappeddynamically onto the back surface of the left-hand unit and the otherhalf of said keyboard keys are mapped dynamically on the right-handunit. As shown in FIG. 10, said two units may be joined together with a360 degree rotation swivel joint that is concurrently adjustable by theoperator at a preferred vertically and horizontally degrees for the mostcomfortable posture of arms, wrists, and fingers.

The operator of said two-unit embodiment may hold and operate each unitwith each hand while walking or doing other activities withoutnecessarily holding said units close together up in front of his eyes.According to one or more non-limiting exemplary embodiments, said unitsmay have straps or fasteners to be fastened or worn on hands or thumbs;or hang around the neck to provide greater freedom and flexibility ofwrists and fingers during operation.

According to one or more non-limiting exemplary embodiments, dynamickeys are mapped on a computer mouse with a touch-sensitive round padaround its sides as show in FIG. 12. According to one or morenon-limiting exemplary embodiments, back surfaces are capable ofdetecting a plurality of fingers, objects, or both. Additionally, saidback surfaces can detect different types of forces and a range ofpressures from or in proximity of fingers and objects.

According to one or more aspects of the present invention, one or aplurality of surfaces of an input device may be switched into akeyboard, a mouse pad, or into another mode of operation as describedlater. According to one or more aspects of the present invention, akeyboard that is comprised of two units, helps align and keep naturalposture of arms, wrists, and fingers of an operator.

Said dynamically mapped keys provide fingers and hands of an operatormoving flexibility that would otherwise force fingers and wrists to beconfined to a set of statically positioned keys. The flexibility ofmoving fingers from the initial resting position during operationprovides greater comfort thanks to dynamically mapped keys. Accordingly,operators of mobile devices such as smart cell phones may use all theirfingers to enter text rather than being confined to only two thumbs.

Additionally, and according to one or more aspects of the presentinvention, operators are notified with human speech automatically andimmediately when a finger activates a key, after a word is correctlyentered, or when a paragraph is completed without grammatical errors. Asan example, when an operator needs to read from a printed letter andenter it on a keyboard, there is no need to focus back and forth on thekeyboard and a display monitor to verify visually that the intended textwas entered correctly. According to one or more aspects of the presentinvention, operators are notified with human speech automatically andimmediately when typos or grammatical errors occur.

As the result of aforementioned ergonomic advantages of one or severalembodiments, by maintaining healthier posture of arms, wrists, andfingers, stress and fatigue is reduced or alleviated; yet faster typingspeed is achieved. These and other advantages will become apparent bypursuing the following descriptions and accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

While multiple non-limiting exemplary embodiments are disclosed, otherembodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description. As will be realized, the embodiments arecapable of modifications in various aspects, all without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the embodiments discussed herein. Accordingly,the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrativein nature and not restrictive.

Therefore all disclosed embodiments are described by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, one or moreembodiments are illustrated with the same reference numerals referringto the same pieces of an embodiment throughout the drawings. It isunderstood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments depictedin the drawings herein, but rather it is defined by the claims appendedhereto and equivalent structures:

FIG. 1 shows the front of the 1^(st) embodiment with mechanical keys onthe front surface, and touch-sensitive surfaces located on the edges. Adisplay screen is in the middle of the front surface, and housing forthe main CPU.

FIG. 2 shows the back of the 1^(st) embodiment with dynamically mappedkeys on the right-side touch-sensitive multi-touch surface.

FIG. 3 shows the top of the 1^(st) embodiment with varying anglesbetween the front surface, back right-surface, and back left surface.

FIG. 4 shows the left back surface; a section of the 1^(st) embodiment,the area touched with the fingers of the left hand, the relative contactpoints, and the positioning bumps.

FIG. 5 shows a section of the 1^(st) embodiment with interface groupsmapped on the right back surface in Numeric Mode.

FIG. 6 shows remapping of home and non-home keys when the hands of theoperator shift.

FIG. 7A shows the front view of the 2^(nd) embodiment comprising of twoindependent units, one for each hand.

FIG. 7B shows the back view of the 2^(nd) embodiment comprising of twoindependent units, one for each hand.

FIG. 8 shows the 3^(rd) embodiment as an attachment to an existingstationary device.

FIG. 9 shows the 4^(th) embodiment as an enhanced mouse with a roundtouch pad.

FIG. 10 shows the 5^(th) embodiment with slide-out extendedtouch-sensitive pads.

FIG. 11 shows the 6th embodiment with curved sides.

FIG. 12 shows the 7^(th) embodiment with computer keys mapped on thefront-facing surface.

FIG. 13 shows the 8^(th) embodiment with collapsible arms.

FIG. 14 shows the 9^(th) embodiment with a larger display screen.

FIG. 15 shows the back of the 9^(th) embodiment.

FIG. 16 shows the 10^(th) embodiment mounted on or built in a wall.

FIG. 17 shows the 11^(th) embodiment in the form of steering wheel.

FIG. 18 shows the back of the 11^(th) embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION: FIG. 1—FIRST EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the front of the first non-limiting exemplary embodiment.This embodiment provides a touch-sensitive screen or a touch-screen 105,a plurality of mechanical keys 109, 110, 111, 112, and 115, a pluralityof soft programmable keys 122, 123, 124, 125, and 126, two speakers 103and 120, two microphones 108 and 114, a plurality of status or indicatorLED lights 117, and one light sensor 119 on a front surface 104.Touch-sensitive pads 102, 106, 116 and 121 located on the right and leftcurved edges 101 and 118 of the embodiment are capable of detectingranges of pressure levels from the thumbs and the hands of an operator.Adjustable legs 107 and 113 help keep the embodiment in a comfortableposition for use. Said touch-sensitive pads may be positioned on curvededges or on flat, multi-curved, or a combination of flat andmulti-curved surfaces of an embodiment. The purpose and benefits of saidcurved surfaces among other features is to provide further ergonomicconvenience for the palm and fingers such that the curvature of saidsurfaces could be adjusted to the natural resting position of the palmand fingers of operators.

The touch screen 105 is capable of detecting at least the touch of twothumbs simultaneously and to display a plurality of icons, a pluralityof running program windows, as well as text boxes and a plurality ofprogrammable soft keys.

FIG. 2 shows the back view of first embodiment with two back surfaces201 and 208 (not fully shown), each with touch-sensitive surfaces ortouch pads. The left touch-pad 202 as well as the right touch-pad onsurface 208 (not shown) are capable of detecting a plurality of fingerson each pad simultaneously. Additionally there is a plurality ofinvisible environment, motion, and position sensors (not shown).

Both left and right touch pads are capable of detecting a range ofpressure levels. Each pressure level describes a specific action, forexample, tapping with a finger, touching or resting on the touchpad,sliding or moving a single finger or a plurality of fingers on a touchpad, squeezing a touch pad with the palm of one or both hands, pressingharder on a touch pad with a finger, etc.

Most computer keyboards have alphanumeric keys including home keys A, S,D, F, J, K, L, ;, non-home keys, numeric keys, punctuation keys,mathematical operators, and a set of special keys including functionkeys. Tab, Caps, Shift, Ctrl, Command, Alt, Scroll, and Delete areexamples of special keys. Recent computer keyboards include additionalkeys to activate and control running programs on the host computer. Forexample a computer keyboard may have keys to open a web browser, a menu,and Start and Stop keys for playing music. There are associated non-homekeys of a home key that are activated by the same finger that activatessaid home key. For example as shown in FIG. 2, key 205 is the non-homekey associated with the home key 209, corresponding to the D key on aQWERTY layout. There are several keyboards with different layoutsincluding QWERTY, Dvorak, Arabic, etc.

The first embodiment (FIG. 2) provides at least a stationary housing 128for the main CPU, power, main OS and applications, file storage, andports to communicate with other devices and internet; a moveable housing127 for the touch-sensitive surfaces, and an adjustable means 211 toadjust the moveable housing in 360 degrees in 3-dimensional sphere. Themoveable housing provides a plurality of processors (not shown), anon-volatile storage media (not shown), a volatile storage media (notshown), a source of rechargeable power to provide power when operatingwirelessly (not shown); a method of communicating with the local andremote hosts; having first means comprising of several programs; a firstprogram to customize and build new computer layouts; a second programfor choosing and activating a layout of the keys, and dividing andassigning said keys into interface groups, a third program for obtainingthe initial contact coordinates of fingers at home or at the restingposition on the touch-sensitive surfaces, and the contact coordinates offingers when extended and retracted to activate adjacent keys; havingsecond means comprising of at least a fourth program for detectingnormal operation and activities performed by the operator, to map saidinterface groups dynamically on the touch-sensitive surfaces and toremap said interface groups as the initial coordinates of fingers moveor shift; and a fifth program to activate a sound module that receivessignals pertaining to activated keys and pronounces each typed letter orcommand, reads every word, notifies the operator when typos,grammatical, or other errors are detected, and transcribes voice intotext and computer commands; and an electronic module to run saidprograms and other programs, generate codes, display information on atouch screen, and transmit generated codes through wired, wireless, orboth methods to a locally attached host, and to one or a plurality ofremote hosts. Said fifth program may also use other methods ofnotification include future and currently available methods includingnotification through vibration and tactile sensation as described at:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3100092/.

The non-volatile storage media holds the programs and informationpertaining to all available keyboard and keypad layouts, and customizedkeyboard and keypad layouts. Said programs provide at least BIOS supportto initialize and operate the embodiment.

The keys of every available keyboard and keypad layouts are divided intoa plurality of interface groups. The elements of each interface groupare comprised of one home key and none, one, or a plurality of non-homekeys. A non-home key is a key that is activated by the same finger thatactivates the associated home key. Each interface group is assigned toand activated by one of the fingers of the operator. For example, inFIG. 2 interface group 206 represents interface group D, and iscomprised of elements 205, 209, and 210; which represent E, D, and Ckeys. Element 209 represents the D home key. Similarly, interface group203 represents interface group F, and is comprised of home key 204 andseveral non-home keys. Enter key (not shown) is a non-home key ofanother interface group that represents the Enter key. Enter key is oneof the special keys.

TABLE 1 Interface Home and Associated Assigned Group Home Key Non-homeKeys Hand finger A A Q A Z Tab Caps Shift Left Pinky finger S S W S XRing finger D D E D C Middle finger F F R F V T G B Index finger J J Y HN U J M Right Index finger K K I K , Middle finger L L O L . Ring fingerSemicolon ; P ;/′ Backspace Pinky finger Enter Shift Left Space LeftSpace Space Left Left thumb Right Space Right Space Space Right Rightthumb

Also as shown in FIG. 3, to provide additional comfort for fingers, theback surfaces 201 and 208 are not in parallel with each other. There isan angle 301 between two back surfaces. There are also two angles 303and 304 between the front surface 104 and two back surfaces that areless than 120 degrees. The top surface 302 is triangular in thisexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows touch-sensitive area 202 on back surface 201, where thefingers of the left hand of the operator rest or activate keys. Contactareas 401, 403, 405, and 407 are the areas touched by the Index finger,Middle finger, Ring finger, and the Pinky finger of the left handrespectively. Areas 402, 404, 406, and 408 are the areas assigned ormapped to invisible home keys F, D, S, and A (not shown) to be activatedby each respective finger. Optionally, there are fast-positioning bumpsor elevations on each of the touch-sensitive multi-touch back surfaces(not all shown) that help users quickly position their left and rightfingers at the resting positions on said surfaces. As an example,positioning bump 409 is for resting the left index finger on the F keyon mapped QWERY keyboard. Fast-positioning bumps or elevations could besensed as sensational tactile or haptic feel that is providedelectronically, or by physical bump similar to the ones on keys F and Jor 5 on standard US keyboards. Each multi-touch back surface may haveone or more fast-positioning bumps or elevations. The coordinates of thephysical bumps or elevations are static but the coordinates andintensity of sensational tactile or haptic bumps or elevations may beadjusted and preprogrammed dynamically on each multi-touch back surface.

FIG. 5 shows a set of numeric keys and arithmetic operation keys.Interface group 501 contains elements 502, 503, and 504. Element 503represents digit 5; which is the home key of said interface group.Elements 502 and 504 represent digits 8 and 2, which are the non-homekeys of digit 5.

Operation—First Embodiment

There are practically unlimited ways of running aforesaid five programs.The following is only an example of running said programs to operate thefirst embodiment. Holding two mechanical keys 110 and 112 in FIG. 1 for3 seconds or longer, prompts the operator to choose one of the programs.The operator may call the first program to customize a layout. As partof the customization, the operator may customize each of the keys of aselected keyboard layout, the function of touch pads 102, 106, 116 and121 located on the edges of the embodiment, the function of eachmechanical key, and the function of the soft programmable keys 122, 123,124, 125, and 126. The operator may choose to assign certain keys to theleft and the right thumbs. Either of the touch pads on the back surfacesis set by default to detect 4 fingers each. Yet, the operator may chooseto modify that number for each touch pad to match and compensate formissing fingers, or for more than 4 fingers. The operator may customizeand alter the assignment of keys to each active finger. Each customizedlayout may be saved on one of a plurality of non-volatile storages.

The operator, at the first use of said embodiment may call up the secondprogram to choose and activate a keyboard layout. The operator may alsocall the third program at least once to customize the position of hishands and initial resting position of fingers.

When the third program is called, the operator is prompted to follow aseries if instruction to detect and register the contact points of eachfinger at the resting position on the touch pads on back surfaces, aswell as the contact points of each finger when extending or retractingto tap on other areas on the touch pads, as if typing and activating thenon-home keys of a keyboard.

The coordinates of the resting position of each finger of each hand, aswell as the coordinates of each finger when extended or retracted as iftyping on a non-home key, is registered. For example, when the operatoris prompted to rest all 8 fingers on the two touch pads on the backsurfaces, the third program detects and registers the coordinates of thecontact point of the left Index finger at resting position and maps theF key to said coordinates. Then through a sequence of prompts, theoperator taps on the left touch pad while extending and retracting theleft Index finger as if typing on the non-home keys R, V, T, G, and B ona QWERTY keyboard. The center of each contact point or the coordinatesof each contact point between the left Middle finger and the touch padare grouped together as elements of the F interface group. FIG. 2 showsinterface group 203 representing letters F, R and V. This process isrepeated for all fingers.

As shown in FIG. 4, area 402 is represents invisible F key (not shown)on the touch pad 202; which is activated with the index finger. Area 402is the center of area 401 which is the contact point between the leftindex finger and the touch pad 202. All dynamically mapped keys areinvisible soft keys. Each special key, for example, Ctrl, Shift, Delete,etc may be mapped to a mechanical key, soft static key, dynamicallymapped soft key, or mapped to a plurality of keys simultaneously.

Once all contact points or coordinates of all fingers are registered,the third program maps each of the contact points to a key. The thirdprogram calculates the distance between each non-home key and itsassociated home key, and the distance between same non-home key and thenext home key. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the distance betweennon-home key 601 that represents key E and home key 602 that representskey D, as well as the distance between key 601 and home key 603 thatrepresents key F are calculated and saved together with theircoordinates. Said saved information is available to the fourth program.

The fourth program is the main program that runs automatically all thetime to detect activities performed by the hands and fingers of theoperator and to generate codes relative to each activity on a touch pador on a touch screen. For example, when the operator taps on the mappedlocation of key D with the left Middle finger, a character coderepresenting lowercase letter “d” is generated. If the operator washolding the Shift key with right pinky finger while performing the sameaction, a character code representing uppercase letter “D” is generated.

As the operator's hands move, the location or coordinates of the homekeys will also shift and move. Fourth program recurrently detects thenew coordinates of fingers at their resting position. The newcoordinates of fingers are reregistered and the associated groups ofkeys are dynamically mapped to the new coordinates. Since theinformation pertaining to non-home keys and their distances from the twohome keys is already available, the new coordinates of the non-home keysare recalculated and adjusted based on the new coordinates of theirassociated home keys.

For example, in FIG. 6, the current coordinates of two home keys 602 and603 representing D and F home keys are shown. F key is the neighbor homekey of D home key. Key 601 that represents key E is the non-home key ofthe D home key and is an element of the D interface group. Let's say forexample, when the third program ran initially, it registered thedistance between the E and the D keys being 12 mm and the distancebetween the E and F keys being 16 mm.

Let's say for example, that the left hand of the operator moved andshifted slightly. In this example in FIG. 6, the contact point of theleft Middle finger 602 is shifted forward slightly. The adjacent homekey 603 also moved slightly. The fourth program detects the newcoordinates of contact points of the left Middle finger 605 and leftIndex finger 604 at resting position and remaps D and F keys on the lefttouch pad accordingly. It also calculates and updates the coordinate ofE key 601 and maps it at the location 606; which is 12 mm from the newlocation of the D home key and 16 mm from the new location of neighbor Fhome key.

The left and right thumbs of the operator activate the mechanical keyslocated below the front touch screen, and all soft programmable keysmapped on the touch screen.

The fifth program detects activated keys and automatically pronouncesevery letter and reads every command and every word that is enteredwithout a spelling mistake. If the operator intended to type in the word“cared” but it was entered as “cares”, then the operator would hear whatwas types and would be able to correct and replace that word. Whentypos, grammatical errors, or other errors are detected, said programnotifies the operator using human speech and provides options to correcttypos and other errors. Said program may also use other forms ofnotification, for example vibration or displaying a message on thedisplay monitor or on the touch screen. Said program may also record andtranscribe voice into text and into computer commands, letting theoperator only correct errors made during the transcribing process.

There are different modes of operation include Text Mode, Extended Mode,Arrows Mode, Keypad Mode, Mouse Pad Mode, Multiple Mouse Pad Mode,Calligraphic Pad Mode, etc. Other modes of operation may be achieved bycreating new customized layouts. The operator may activate any of thesemodes by pressing a soft key or a mechanical key that is preprogrammedfor that purpose. FIG. 1 shows Key 111 that is preprogrammed as the ModeSwitch key. Each mode may use specific layouts or a set of specificactions, and assign different keys or actions to each finger of theoperator.

In Text Mode, as shown in FIG. 1, mechanical keys 109, 110, 112, and 115represent Ctrl, left Space, right Space, and Alt keys. Also in Text Modeas shown in FIG. 2, the elements of each interface group represent alphakeys or a combination of alpha and a set of special keys (not shown).

However in Numeric Mode as shown in FIG. 5 the elements of eachinterface group represent numeric keys and arithmetic operation keys.For example, interface group 501, contains digits 8, 5, and 2 whereelement 503 is digit 5 home key and elements 502 and 504 that representdigits 8 and 2 are the associated non-home keys.

Table 2 shows interface groups and associated elements in Numeric Mode.In this mode of operation one or both of the touch pads on back surfacesmay be mapped with the same interface groups. For example, interfacegroup 5 with elements 8, 5, and 2 may be associated with the left Middlefinger, right Middle finger, or both.

TABLE 2 Interface Home and Associated Group Home Key Non-homeKeys HandAssigned finger Minus Minus / − * Left Pinky Finger 4 4 7 4 1 Ringfinger 5 5 8 5 2 Middle finger 6 6 9 6 3 + Enter Index finger 4 4 7 41/Minus * Right Index finger 5 5 8 5 2 Middle finger 6 6 9 6 3 Ringfinger Plus Plus Enter + Pinky Finger Zero Zero 0 Left Left thumb DotDot . Right Right thumb

Extended Mode provides access to different symbols, function keys,numbers, and special keys. Table 3 shows interface groups and associatedelements in Extended Mode. For example, the Middle finger activatedelements of interface group 3 in Extended Mode. Function keys F3, F13,and digit 3 key are the elements of interface group 3.

TABLE 3 Interface Home and Associated Group Home Key Non-home Keys HandAssigned finger 1 1 F1 1 F11 Left Pinky finger 2 2 F2 2 F12 Ring finger3 3 F3 3 F13 Middle finger 4 4 F4 4 F14 Index finger 5 5 F5 5 F15 RightIndex finger 6 6 F6 6 F16 Middle finger 7 7 F7 7 F17 Ring finger 8 8 F88 F18 Pinky finger 9 9 9  Left Left thumb 0 0 0  Right Right thumb F9 F9  F9   Left Left thumb* F10 F10 F10  Right Right thumb*

Each thumb may activate at least two mechanical keys located on thefront surface below the touch screen. For example, in FIG. 1, rightthumb may activate the two far most right mechanical keys.

In Multiple Mouse Pads Mode, or Multiple Pointing Device Mode, bothtouch pads located on the back of the embodiment become mouse pads. Inthis mode, one or a plurality of fingers of each hand may control themovements of a mouse or perform different activities independently ortogether. For example, by sliding the Index finger of the left hand onthe left touch pad, the operator can move the pointer of the 1^(st)mouse and perform another action by tapping with the same finger on thetouch pad. Similarly, the Index finger of the right hand may perform thesame action with the left Index finger, but to control a 2^(nd) mouse.Additionally, when using 2 fingers, 3 fingers, or even 4 fingerssimultaneously, the operator may perform either one of the commonactions of a typical mouse, or execute a series of actions thatotherwise would take several steps to accomplish. For example, in adrawing program, by using two index fingers, the operator may grab thetwo ends of a line, move and stretch it to fit in a new location, whichotherwise, the operator would have to move each end of the line one stepat a time. In another example, the operator may rotate, zoom, andperform other actions on an object simultaneously by using severalfingers of a hand or two.

Table 4 below shows an example of the functions that may be assigned toeach finger. As stated earlier, by combining functions of a plurality offingers, a new set of function may be derived. These new functions mayexpand the capabilities of currently available computer programs or,benefit and expand the capabilities of programs that will becomeavailable in the future due to said derived new set of functions.

TABLE 4 Interface Home and Associated Assigned Group Home Key Non-homeKeys Hand finger Left Pinky finger Zoom Zoom Zoom-in Zoom-out Ringfinger Rotate Rotate Rotate Page-up Middle finger Page-down Mouse-1Mouse-1 Mouse-1 Index finger Mouse-2 Mouse-2 Mouse-2 Right Index fingerRotate Rotate Rotate Page-up Middle finger Page-down Zoom Zoom Zoom-inZoom-out Ring finger Pinky finger Hold Hold Hold Left Left thumb HoldHold Hold Right Right thumb

In Arrows Mode, tapping with the right Index finger on its restinglocation will move the cursor or the selected object to the left;tapping with the right Ring finger on its resting location will move thecursor or the selected object to the right, and tapping with the rightMiddle finger above or below its resting location will move the cursoror the selected object up or down accordingly. Same functions may beachieved by the fingers of the left hand.

Different functions may be assigned to the touch pads located on theleft and the right edges of the first embodiment and it may varydepending on the selected layout or modes of operation. In FIG. 1,tapping on touch pads 102 or 121 may provide status updates on certainprograms, while tapping on touch pads 106 or 116 may, for example changefont size or sound volume.

The operator of the first embodiment may adjust the movable hosing 127as desired for the most ergonomic convenience. As shown in FIG. 1,adjustable legs 107 and 113 help keep the keyboard at a comfortableangle.

Thus, since the computer keys in the first embodiment are mappeddynamically, and on two back surfaces, it provides faster typing speedand greater ergonomic advantage. The blind, or people with differentpersonal preferences may customize it according to their preferences.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 7A AND 7B—SECOND EMBODIMENT

The second non-limiting exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 7A andFIG. 7B provides two independently adjustable units; one for each hand.The front touch pads 703A and 703B are visible in the front view, andback touch pads 704A and 704B are visible in the back view. There aretwo slits or openings 702A and 702B to insert hands and reach the backsurface with fingers. Second embodiment may be modified by adding handstraps (not shown) instead of the open slits. Each unit is labeledaccordingly and is used by the respective hand. Adjustment parts 701Aand 701B adjust the distance between two units and adjust the angle ofeach unit in 360 degree in a 3-dimensional sphere, independent of eachother. The operator may adjust the horizontal angle 705 and verticalangle 706 between said two units for greater ergonomics, comfort,flexibility, performance, and speed. As shown in FIG. 7B, the anglesbetween the two units are adjusted such that for example the horizontalangle 705 in is less than 180 degrees and the vertical angel 706 isgreater than zero. For additional flexibility, as an additional exampleof and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the reattachment parts can bea 360 degree rotation swivel joint that can revolve in both vertical orhorizontal directions such that it may provide even greater flexibilityand comfort for the hands of the operator.

The same set of volatile and non-volatile storage media, sound module,power module, electronic circuitry, and programs available on the firstembodiment are built into the second embodiment (not shown). Therefore,all functions and capabilities of the first embodiment are available onthe fourth embodiment.

Operation—Second Embodiment

The second embodiment operates like the first embodiment but without afront touch screen as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The operator may use itin any operational mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIG. 8—THIRD EMBODIMENT

The third non-limiting exemplary embodiment 801 provides a touch pad 803and a communication module (not shown). It may be attached to a mobileor a stationary device. FIG. 8 shows said embodiment to be attached tothe front or back of an existing keyboard, keypad, or a mouse pad.Attachment arm 805 is shown in FIG. 11. Other attachment methods mayalso be used. Invisible soft keys 806, 807, and 808 are dynamicallymapped on touch pad 803; which is built on surface 801. Soft key 806represents letter D in Text Mode. Soft key 804 is the Shift key. Theperformance and features of the third embodiment is the same as theperformance and features of the first embodiment. It connect to the hostwirelessly or though a wire. Said embodiment recharges its batteries(not shown) when connected to the host with a wire; or is powered upwirelessly by the host, or is recharged wirelessly by other devices, orit recharges itself with Solar cells (not shown) built on surface 802.Said embodiment also makes use of the memory and other resources of thehost.

Operation—Third Embodiment

An operator attaches the third embodiment to the front or back of anexisting keyboard, keypad, or a mouse pad and connects it to the hostthrough a wire, for example a USB cable, or enables wireless connectionto the host. The operator installs and runs the same set of programs onthe host that is available on the first embodiment. This is to configureand customize the third embodiment. Operation and feature of the thirdembodiment is the same as the operation and features of the firstembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIG. 9—FOURTH EMBODIMENT

The fourth non-limiting exemplary embodiment provides two units thatoperate like a computer mouse but with a round touch pad around eachmouse as shown in FIG. 9. One of the units is assigned to the left handand the other assigned to the right hand. Each unit labeled for eachhand accordingly. Each unit may have a plurality of touch pads. FIG. 9is an example of a unit operable with the right hand. Both units mayoperate independent of each other or complement each other. The centralholding cup 903 has a pressure sensitive pad 902 that is activated bythe palm of an operator. A round touch pad 901 is attached around thecup 903. Keys 904, 905, and 906, are the keys of interface group D inText Mode; which are dynamically mapped on the touch pad 901. Element907 is the Shift key. The right-click and left-click buttons as well asmode switch button and scroll buttons are also available but not shown.Both units contain the same modules and programs available on the firstembodiment. Both units may communicate with a host computer through awire or wirelessly. Configuration information may be saved on the hostand recalled when necessary.

The fourth embodiment makes use of the memory and other resources of thehost.

Operation—Fourth Embodiment

Assuming that we are using the right hand unit in this example, theoperator lays his right hand on the cup 903 and rests his fingers on theround touch pad 901. The operator runs the initial configuration programby pressing and holding the pressure sensitive pad 902. Fourthembodiment is configured and operates like the first embodiment exceptas described otherwise.

The mouse pointer in said embodiment is moved either by switching thetouch pad into a mouse pad by pressing the mode switch button (notshown). The operator may call the first, second or the third program bypressing and holding on the pressure sensitive pad 902 for more than 3seconds. Once configured, the operator may use the round touch pad 901to enter text or use it as a computer mouse pad. Since both left-handand right-hand units may be active simultaneously, the operator mayperform advanced mouse functions with two mouse pads, or control severalmice on each pad using a plurality of fingers on each pad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIG. 10—FIFTH EMBODIMENT

The fifth non-limiting exemplary embodiment is an example of astationary device with slide-out extended touch-sensitive touch pads.FIG. 10 shows slide-out touch pad 1005. Touch pad 1002 is built on theback surface 1001 of said device. Dynamic soft keys 1003 and 1004, as anexample, are mapped on touch pad 1002 and slide-out touch pad 1005.Touch pad 1002 is used for the right hand, and slide-out touch pad 1005is for the left hand of an operator. Other forms of extended touch padmay be manufactured. For example, instead of slide-out touch pad 1005,an extended touch pad that is hinged on the side of said stationarydevice can be used (no figure).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIG. 11—SIXTH EMBODIMENT

The sixth non-limiting exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 11 is anexample of a stationary device with smooth and curved contours on thesides that is ergonomically designed to provide most comfort for thehands of operators. Touch pad 1100 is built on said stationary devicewith contoured sides 1101 and 1103. As an example, soft key 1102 ismapped on touch pad 1100.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIG. 12—SEVENTH EMBODIMENT

The seventh non-limiting exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 12 isvery similar to the sixth embodiment except that a complete set ofcomputer keys are mapped on the front touch pad 1200 and are activatedwith the thumbs of an operator. Soft keys 1201 and 1202 are examples ofa character key and a control key respectively. The touch pad on theback of the seventh embodiment (no figures) may be programmed as amulti-mouse pad or programmed to function as a numeric pad, symbols pad,or to perform other functions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIG. 13—EIGHTH EMBODIMENT

The eighth non-limiting exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 13 is anexample of a device with collapsible sides 1300 and 1301. Said sides maybe pushed in or out of the body of said device and locked at acomfortable position.

Operation—Fifth to Eighth Embodiments

Embodiments five, six, seven and eight are also examples ofergonomically designed devices. Said embodiments provide larger surfacefor fingers of an operator. Said embodiments operate like the firstembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 14 and 15—NINTH EMBODIMENT

The ninth non-limiting exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15are another example of a stationary device. FIG. 14 show front surfaces1401A and 1401B, statically mounted mechanical or soft keys 1402A and1402B, touch-sensitive multi-touch curved sides 1403A and 1403B, and alarge display 1403. As shown in FIG. 15, touch-sensitive multi-touchcurved surface 1501 maps keyboard keys dynamically for the right hand.Curved surface 1501 like other exemplary embodiments functions as akeyboard and mouse pad. Mapped key 1502 represents key M on a QWERTYkeyboard. Housing 1504 provides main CPU, main OS, applications, filestorage and means for a standard or high performing computer. Port 1505is for power and port 1506 for network connection. Other communicationports are not shown.

Optionally, there are fast-positioning bumps or elevations on each ofthe touch-sensitive multi-touch back surfaces (not all shown) that helpusers quickly position their left and right fingers at the restingpositions on said surfaces. As an example, positioning bump 1503 is forresting the right index finger on the J key on mapped QWERY keyboard.Fast-positioning bumps or elevations could be sensed as sensationaltactile or haptic feel that is provided electronically, or by physicalbump similar to the ones on keys F and J or 5 on standard US keyboards.Each multi-touch back surface may have one or more fast-positioningbumps or elevations. The coordinates of the physical bumps or elevationsare static but the coordinates and intensity of sensational tactile orhaptic bumps or elevations may be adjusted and preprogrammed dynamicallyon each multi-touch back surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIG. 16—TENTH EMBODIMENT

The ninth non-limiting exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 16 is anexample of a device statically mounted on or built into the wall. Asshown in FIG. 16, device 1602 is mounted on wall 1601. Said device maybe mounted or installed on any suitable surface or on any other device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 17 and 18—ELEVENTH EMBODIMENT

Another non-limiting exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is asteering wheel of an automobile, or a gaming console, or a navigationsystem. As shown in FIG. 17, several static keys including keys 1702 and1703 are mounted on surface 1701. FIG. 18 shows touch-sensitivemulti-touch surface 1801 on the edge of the wheel, and touch-sensitivemulti-touch surface 1802 on the back side of the wheel. Keys 1803 and1804 and examples of two home keys mapped on the 1802 surface.

Operation—Ninth to Eleventh Embodiments

Embodiments nine, ten, and eleven are also examples of ergonomicallydesigned devices. Said embodiments operate like the first embodiment.Optional fast-positioning tactile or heptic bumps or elevations can beprogrammed at the initial setup when a user rests fingers on thetouch-sensitive back surfaces. The coordinates of the tips of thefingers at the resting positions is registered in the non-volatilememory and becomes active until disabled or reprogrammed manually ordynamically.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE

Thus the reader will see that one or more exemplary embodiments of acomputer keyboard provides healthier posture of fingers, wrists, hands,and arms; more ergonomic convenience, and faster typing speed. It can beintegrated and enhance the capabilities of a stationary device to beused in navigation or other industries, as well as used by the blind.

One or more exemplary embodiments provide an input device withdynamically mapped keys on two of its back surfaces, with vertically andhorizontally adjustable angles between the back surfaces.

Shoulders, arms, wrists, and fingers of operators of the providedembodiments are no longer confined to statically positioned keys; ratherthe dynamic keys follow the fingers of operators. Unlike a conventionalflat keyboard with front-facing keys, the wrists of operators no longersit on the median nerve; developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; nor areconfined to the sides of a one-piece, non-adjustable keyboard withstatically positioned keys.

With touch-sensitive surfaces on units dedicated to each hand, theoperator can adjust the distance between the units and adjust the angleof each unit in 360 degree in a 3-dimensional sphere, independent ofeach other; provided by one or more exemplary embodiments, the hands ofthe operator do not have to be bound to otherwise static andun-adjustable units in order to type. Operators may adjust each unitindependently. A greater space is also available on the front-facingsurface of such devices for applications since the majority of the keysare mapped and activated on the back surfaces.

One or more exemplary embodiments provide an input device withflexibility of switching into a keyboard, a keypad, a navigation pad, anarrow-pad, a mouse-pad, a multi-mouse pad, or a calligraphic pad.

Versatile and customizable layouts provide for different types of inputdevices in different modes of operation. It also meets the needs ofdifferent operators such as the Blind and people with less than 10active fingers. A sound module reads every single character as entered,a word, a paragraph, and a command using human speech. The sound moduleautomatically detects typos and provides option to correct a misspelledword or to correct a grammatical error using human speech or othernotification methods.

Thus, several advantages of one or more aspects include advancedergonomic features that not only help overcome stress on shoulders,arms, wrists, fingers, and prevent backaches and fatigue; but alsoprovide faster typing speed. The flexibility of moving fingers from theinitial resting position during operation provides greater comfort.Hence, increased typing speed, greater efficiency is achieved whileoperators maintain healthier posture of fingers, wrists, hands, arms,and the body.

While my above description contains several exemplary embodiments, manyother variations are also possible. For example many types ofembodiments may be manufactured in different sizes, weights, colors,material, shapes, or connect and communicate with attached or remotedevices in different manner or operate in different mode or function.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A data processing input device: a. having astationary housing with one or a plurality of touch-sensitive surfaceson the back or the reverse side of said housing, as well as on the frontand sides of the housing, for detecting a variety of movements andactions of one or a plurality of fingers or objects on saidtouch-sensitive surfaces, and b. having first means for customizingkeyboard keys, building keyboard layouts, choosing one of said keyboardlayouts, and mapping said keyboard keys on one or a plurality of saidtouch-sensitive surfaces, at and around the coordinates of the contactpoints between one or a plurality of fingers or objects at restingposition and, one or a plurality of said touch-sensitive surfaces, andc. having second means for assigning non-home keys to each of aplurality home keys, wherein each non-home key and home key are provideda location coordinate, remapping a new location coordinate of the homekey, and in response, recalculating and remapping the locationcoordinate of all associated non-home keys of said home key, switchingto different operational modes, Text Mode, Extended Mode, Arrows Mode,Keypad Mode, Mouse Pad Mode, Multiple Mouse Pad Mode, Calligraphic PadMode, new modes of operation by creating new customized layouts,generating codes in response to activating said mapped keys with one ora plurality of fingers or objects; or generating codes when operating inone and a plurality of pointing device mode, by making gestures with oneor a plurality of fingers with or without other objects on saidtouch-sensitive surfaces, and sending or transmitting said generatedcodes to one or a plurality of computers or computerized devices.
 2. Thedata processing input device in claim 1 further having facility forattaching to a computerized device.
 3. The data processing input devicein claim 1 wherein said touch-sensitive surfaces are adjustable suchthat the operator may change the position of each of saidtouch-sensitive surfaces in a 3-dimensional sphere relative to the restof said touch-sensitive surfaces.
 4. The data processing input device inclaim 1 wherein said touch-sensitive surfaces are adjustable such thatthe operator may change the angle between said touch-sensitive surfacesin a 3-dimensional sphere in any direction.
 5. The data processing inputdevice in claim 1 wherein said first means assigns each group of keys toa finger, defines the relationships between a home key and associatednon-home keys, dynamically remaps home keys and non-home keys bycalculating the distances and the angles between the previous andcurrent resting position of fingers or objects when a finger shifts andrests on a new location.
 6. The data processing input device in claim 1wherein said front, side, and back surfaces further having mechanicalkeys and statically mapped keys in addition to the touch-sensitivesurfaces on the rear or reverse side of said input device.
 7. The dataprocessing input device in claim 1 wherein said touch-sensitive side andback surfaces are optionally having mechanical bumps or elevations, orsensational tactile or haptic bumps or elevations, which the coordinatesand intensity of said bumps or elevations are manually or dynamicallyprogrammable at the resting positions on said touch-sensitive side andback surfaces.
 8. A method of entering data comprising: a. providing astationary data processing input device with touch-sensitive surfaces onthe front, sides and on the reverse side of said input device such thatthe fingers of the operator rest on the reverse side of said inputdevice, with thumbs resting on one of said side or front surfaces, andb. providing virtual keys that are dynamically mapped and remapped onsaid touch-sensitive surfaces, at and around the coordinates of thecontact points between one or a plurality of fingers at the restingposition and, one or a plurality of said touch-sensitive surfaces, andc. assigning non-home keys to each of a plurality home keys, whereineach non-home key and home key are provided a location coordinate,remapping a new location coordinate of the home key, and in response,recalculating and remapping the location coordinate of all associatednon-home keys of said home key, switching to different operationalmodes, Text Mode, Extended Mode, Arrows Mode, Keypad Mode, Mouse PadMode, Multiple Mouse Pad Mode, Calligraphic Pad Mode, new modes ofoperation by creating new customized layouts, activating said mappedkeys by tapping or by other gestures with one or a plurality of fingersor objects, generating codes in response to activating keys, generatingcodes when operating in one and a plurality of pointing device mode, bymaking gestures with one or a plurality of fingers, with or withoutother objects, on said touch-sensitive surfaces, and sending ortransmitting said generated codes to one or a plurality of computers orcomputerized devices.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein said input devicefurther providing facility for attaching to a computerized device. 10.The method of claim 8 wherein said touch-sensitive surfaces areadjustable such that the operator may change the position of each ofsaid touch-sensitive surfaces, in a 3-dimensional sphere relative to therest of said touch-sensitive surfaces.
 11. The method of claim 8 whereinsaid touch-sensitive surfaces are adjustable such that the operator maychange the angle between said touch-sensitive surfaces in a3-dimensional sphere in any direction.
 12. The method of claim 8 whereineach group of keys are assigned to a finger, the relationships between ahome key and associated non-home keys are defined, the new location ofsaid dynamically remapped home keys and non-home keys are calculatedbased on the distances and the angles between the previous and currentresting position of fingers or objects when a finger shifts and rests ona new location.
 13. The method of claim 8 wherein said touch-sensitiveside and back surfaces are optionally having mechanical bumps orelevations, or sensational tactile or haptic bumps or elevations, whichthe coordinates and intensity of said bumps or elevations are manuallyor dynamically programmable at the resting positions on saidtouch-sensitive side and back surfaces.
 14. The data processing inputdevice in claim 1 further having A sound module: a. having first meansto receive signals pertaining to activated keys of an input device andto read and pronounce each character, command, and completed words outload immediately, automatically and simultaneously, and b. having secondmeans to automatically notify the operator with the option to correctmisspelled words or grammatical errors, whereby said sound moduleeliminates sole dependency on a display screen to read detect, andcorrect misspelled words or grammatical errors.
 15. The audio and voicegenerator in claim 14 wherein said automatic error notification is inthe form of human voice.
 16. The method of claim 8 further having amethod of notifying the operator of an input device comprising: a.providing an audio module for reading and pronouncing entered letters,commands, and completed words out load automatically and simultaneously,and, b. providing error notification to the operator of said inputdevice when an entered word is misspelled or when a grammatical erroroccurs, and providing options to correct said misspelled words orcorrect said grammatical error.
 17. The method in claim 16 wherein saidautomatic error notification is in the form of human voice.